coolant leak '99

[Patrick the Scot]

I noticed about a quarter-shots worth of blue fluid on the floor of the garage the other morning after the temp had dropped to about 5 degrees F.  It looked to be coming from up around the hose that goes from the head to the radiator on the left side.  ???  I'm not sure about this location of said source of leak, But at the time I did not think too much of it as I've heard many of you talk about coolant "burps."  Now, after reading this thread, I'm a bit more concerned.  Guess I have to notify PJ's.

[barjan]

The leakage stopped on my bike. I had to wreck it and buy a 955i to realise that. Costs more than a new gasket I'm afraid.



About the colour of the fluid. I only know there are two types of coolant. The ready made new stuff (as far as I have seen is blue) and the old stuff (green) which you had to mix with water. The thing with the new (blue) stuff is that it reacts with water, so if you add water in stead of coolant, you will have to drain the hole system. If you don't ,the reaction in the fluid will eat away gaskets. (This is what I'm told, I'm not a coolant-whiz).



The problem is however not with the colour of the coolant, it is with the 885 efi engine. Weak design point and a costly one. Keep it warm enough and you will probably never see the problem.



(the 955 also looses some coolant, but that's just a hoseclamp (under the tank, haven't had the time (or spirit) to remove it.)